The Story

What is important to you?

After losing someone she loved and experiencing deep depression, artist Candy Chang created an interactive wall on an abandoned house in her neighborhood to create an anonymous place to help restore perspective and share intimately with neighbors while remaining an introvert. After receiving permission, she painted the side of an abandoned house in her neighborhood in New Orleans with chalkboard paint and stenciled it with a grid of the sentence, “Before I die I want to _______.” Anyone walking by could pick up a piece of chalk, reflect on their lives, and share their personal aspirations in public space.

It was all an experiment and she didn’t know what to expect. By the next day, the wall was full of responses and it kept growing: Before I die I want to… sing for millions, plant a tree, hold her one more time, straddle the International Date Line, see my daughter graduate, eat more everything, abandon all insecurities, be completely myself… She understood her neighbors in new and enlightening ways, and the wall reminded her that she’s not alone as she tries to make sense of her life.

After posting a few photos online, the images spread and she received hundreds of messages from people who wanted to make a wall with their community. She created this website with resources and now thanks to passionate people around the world, over 1,000 Before I Die walls have been created in over 35 languages and over 70 countries, including Kazakhstan, Iraq, Haiti, China, Ukraine, Portugal, Japan, Denmark, Argentina, and South Africa. The Before I Die book is a celebration of these walls and the stories behind them. Follow the latest Before I Die walls and responses on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and a seasonal newsletter. Say hello here.

“One of the most creative community projects ever.” – The Atlantic

2011, New Orleans, LA. Chalkboard paint, spray paint, chalk, abandoned house. 41′ x 8′. With permission and support from the property owner, residents of the block, the neighborhood association’s blight committee, the Historic District Landmarks Commission, the Arts Council, and the City Planning Commission. Installation assistance by Kristina Kassem, Cory Klemmer, Anamaria Vizcaino, James Reeves, Alan Williams, Alex Vialou, Earl Carlson, and Gary Hustwit. You have permission to use photos on this site for publicity of the project. Photos by Before I Die, unless credited otherwise. The project is now maintained by Candy Chang with assistance by Liz Iacullo.

Cordoba, Argentina. Photo by Jenny Carden

Najaf, Iraq. Photo by Moja

Brooklyn, NY, USA. Photo by Shake Shack

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Savannah, Georgia, USA. Photo by Trevor Coe

Pohang City, South-Korea. Photo by Shin Yuran

San Francisco, CA. Photo by Kristina Kassem

Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Steven Slotow

Cordoba, Argentina. Photo by Bernd Biedermann

Before I Die is a global art project that invites people to reflect on their lives and share their personal aspirations in public space. This project was started by Candy Chang on an abandoned house in New Orleans after she lost someone she loved. Learn more here.